Fighting Saints assistant, Millar moving to NHL Kings

DUBUQUE, IOWA (Courtesy Dubuque Fighting Saints)  — After six seasons with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, Assistant Coach Matt Millar is set to join the Los Angeles Kings organization as their Development Goalie Coach. Millar will head back to his roots with his move to the LA area.

“The Dubuque Fighting Saints work hard and take pride in moving people onto the next level; that goes for both players and staff,” said GM Kalle Larsson. “Matt has been a loyal member of our organization for six season and his knowledge about the game has obviously not gone unnoticed at higher levels. Whereas we will miss Matt’s commitment to the success of the Saints, we are excited and proud of his move to the National Hockey League with the LA Kings.”

Millar continues a long-held trend of Fighting Saints staff members making the move from Dubuque and up to the NHL. During his time in Dubuque, Millar helped groom multiple net minders who have since been drafted or acquired by NHL teams. Most recently, Millar helped coached Matthew Thiessen, a draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks. Hunter Miska, who is now a member of the Arizona Coyotes organization, was another of the net minders who developed under Millar while in Dubuque.

“Matt leaves us as the longest tenured hockey staff member since the Fighting Saints returned to the USHL in 2010,” said head coach Oliver David. “Matt and I have coached alongside each other for five of his six seasons in Dubuque, so I’ve got to watch him grow into this opportunity first-hand. Matt had plenty of offers to advance prior to this in his time here, but he kept his eye on the target: a goaltending job with an NHL club. His example is really a testament to what hard work and sacrifice can lead to when you have a direction and stay the course.”

Millar joined the Fighting Saints as Goalie Coach and Director of Hockey Operations in the 2013 season. Prior to the 2017 season, Millar was promoted to Assistant Coach. In addition to working closely with the team’s goalies, Millar was also in charge of video for the Fighting Saints hockey staff.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the Dubuque organization for allowing me to grow in all aspects over the last six seasons,” said Millar. “From Matt Shaw to Jason Lammers to Oliver David, the coaching staff has allowed me to become a better coach and especially a better goalie coach. I’m excited to be in a position that has produced a lot of great coaches before me and I’m also excited to get back to the LA area.”

Millar is set to make the move to LA in late August and will be working through the summer in his new position, heading around the country to build relationships with various goalies in the Kings organization. In his new role Millar will be working with AHL and ECHL goalies a long with prospects.

“I personally want to thank Matt for his loyalty and belief in what we try and do here on a daily basis. I wish him success as takes the next stride on his professional journey with our hometown Los Angeles Kings,” said David.